ALABAMA SURFACE MINING COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 880-X-12A TRAINING, EXAMINATION, AND CERTIFICATION OF BLASTERS TRAINING, EXAMINATION, AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR BLASTERS TABLE OF CONTENTS 880-X-12A-.01 Scope 880-X-12A-.02 Objective 880-X-12A-.03 Responsibilities 880-X-12A-.04 Definitions 880-X-12A-.05 General Program Requirements 880-X-12A-.06 Required Elements Of The Blaster's Training Program 880-X-12A-.07 Required Elements Of Certification 880-X-12A-.08 Blaster Responsibilities 880-X-12A-.09 Fees 880-X-12A-.01 Scope. This Rule establishes program requirements for -- (a) Training of persons to engage in and conduct blasting or to use explosives in surface coal mining and reclamation operations; (b) Examining and certifying persons engaging in and directly responsible for blasting or the use of explosives in surface coal mining and reclamation operations; and (c) Establishing conditions and restrictions for certified blasters and blasting crews in surface coal mining and reclamation operations. 880-X-12A-.02 Objective. The objective of this Rule is to establish a training, examination, and certification program which ensures that all blasts in surface coal mining and Supp. 6/30/11 12A-1
reclamation operations are designed, supervised, and executed by trained and competent persons who meet the requirements of these regulations as they relate to blasting in surface coal mining and reclamation operations. 880-X-12A-.03 Responsibilities. The State Regulatory Authority shall be responsible for -- (a) Developing and administering a training, examination and certification program pursuant to the Act; (b) Revocation or suspension of certification; (c) Requiring, in accordance with the Act that any person who performs as a certified blaster in surface coal mining and reclamation operations in the State shall be tested and certified by the State Regulatory Authority; and (d) Collecting, maintaining, and providing the Office of Surface Mining with data on training, test results, and other information the Office of Surface Mining may require with respect to a State Program. 880-X-12A-.04 Definitions. For a listing of definitions used in this Rule see Rule 880-X-2A-.06. 880-X-12A-.05 General Program Requirements. (1) Operators shall -- Supp. 6/30/11 12A-2
(a) Designate a certified blaster(s) as blaster(s)-in-charge for each blast to be detonated in surface coal mining and reclamation operations; (b) Ensure that all employees who perform blasting tasks under the supervision of a blaster-in-charge have training in the use and handling of explosives; (c) Limit the size of a blasting crew supervised by a properly certified blaster-in-charge such that the operator ensures that its blaster(s)-in-charge can provide adequate direct supervision to crew members and remain in control of blast design, preparation, and execution so that blasting complies with applicable State and Federal regulations; and (d) Ensure that a blaster-in-charge supervises no more than one crew at any given time. (2) A blaster-in-charge shall -- (a) Ensure that blast design and execution meet standards prescribed in Rules 880-X-10C-.30-880-X-10C-.35 or 880-X-10D-.28-880-X-10D-.32 and Rule 880-X-12A; (b) Directly supervise blast preparation and execution at the blast site to ensure that such standards are met; and (c) Be present at the site when the blast is detonated. 880-X-12A-.06 Required Elements Of An Approved Blaster's Training Program. (1) An approved blasters training program shall include, but not be limited to, 40-hours of blaster instructions employing -- (a) (b) (c) Class room lectures; Laboratory demonstrations; Visual aids; and Supp. 6/30/11 12A-3
(d) Student participation in the design and implementation of simulated blasting patterns. (2) The approved training program shall cover, but not be limited to, the following subjects: (a) (b) explosives; Basic techniques of blasting; Safety practices in blasting and handling (c) Current State and Federal laws and regulations concerning the use of explosives; (d) Blast pattern design; and (e) Blast monitoring techniques. 880-X-12A-.07 Required Elements Of Certification. (1) Initial Certification. (a) Each applicant who has satisfactorily completed an approved training program and has successfully passed the comprehensive written examination prior to January 1, 1982, may be recertified under these regulations provided that the applicant: 1. Has sustained no blasting violations that have not been resolved; 2. Maintained a valid State license; and 3. Actively been engaged in blasting. (b) Applicants seeking blaster certification after January 1, 1982, shall be required to: 1. Complete a State approved blaster's training program; 2. Pass the comprehensive written examination with a score of 70% or better; and Supp. 6/30/11 12A-4
3. Have one year of creditable blasting experience. (2) Examination. (a) Each applicant for blaster's certification shall receive written notification from the State Regulatory Authority within 30 days of examination, as to the applicant's certification status. (b) Applicants who fail to qualify in the examination after two attempts must reapply for certification by submitting a new application to the State Regulatory Authority. (3) Reciprocity. The State Regulatory Authority may grant certification to persons holding valid certifications issued by another state, providing the requirements for certification in such state are substantially equivalent to those of Alabama. (4) Terms and conditions of certification. (a) years. Certification shall be for a period of three (b) The certificate shall include the blaster's name, company affiliation, and issue and expiration dates. An identification card will be issued to each certified blaster, which bears name, address, physical data, and recent photograph of blaster. The card remains the property of the State of Alabama. (c) Each certified blaster shall, upon request, exhibit his blaster's certification to any duly authorized representative of the State Regulatory Authority. (d) transferred. Certification shall not be reassigned or (e) Certified Blasters shall take every reasonable precaution to protect their certificates from loss, theft, or unauthorized duplication. Any such occurrence shall be reported immediately to the State Regulatory Authority. (5) Renewal. (a) To maintain uninterrupted certification each certified blaster shall apply for recertification no later than 90 days prior to expiration of the term of certification. Supp. 6/30/11 12A-5
(b) To qualify for renewal of certification each certified blaster shall demonstrate employment in the coal mine blasting profession during 12 months of the previous certification period, and one of the following. 1. Provide proof of completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education training courses approved by the ASMC during the 36 month period immediately prior to application for renewal, or; 2. Pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or better within the 12 month period immediately prior to application for renewal. (6) Approval of continuing education training courses. Continuing education training courses must be approved by the ASMC for credit in meeting the requirements of paragraph (5)(b)1. Courses must be relevant to coal mine blasting and a description of the materials covered, time of instruction, and qualifications of instructors must be provided. (7) Suspension and Revocation. (a) The State Regulatory Authority, when practicable, following written notice and opportunity for a hearing, may, and upon a finding of willful misconduct, shall suspend or revoke the certification of a blaster during the term of the certification, or take other necessary action for any of the following reasons: 1. Non-compliance with any order of the State Regulatory Authority. 2. Unlawful use in the work-place of, or current addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs. 3. Violation of any provision of State or Federal explosive laws or regulations. 4. Providing false information or a misrepresentation to obtain certification. (b) If advanced notice and opportunity for a hearing cannot be provided, an opportunity for a hearing shall be provided as soon as practical following the suspension, revocation, or other adverse action. (c) Upon notice of a revocation, the blaster shall immediately surrender to the State Regulatory Authority the revoked certificate. Randall C. Johnson Supp. 6/30/11 12A-6
May 20, 1982; Amended: Filed: September 21, 1993; effective November 20, 1993. 880-X-12A-.08 Certified Blaster Responsibility. A blaster-in-charge shall be responsible for determining that -- (a) Diameter, spacing, burden, depth, stemming depth or weight of each explosive charge per hole meet criteria for safe and effective blasting; (b) Explosive charge per delay does not exceed that imposed by State regulations to control air overpressure and ground particulate vibrations; (c) Qualified persons are engaged in the drilling, loading, tamping, and connecting of explosive devices used in blasting operations; (d) Each blasting log is completed and signed immediately following execution of each respective blast; (e) No charge is detonated unless he is present to physically detonate the charge or give the order to detonate the charge; and (f) Only authorized members of the blasting crew perform general blasting operations, such as loading and unloading explosives at the blasting site, preparing explosives for use in blasting, transporting explosives at or near the job site, loading explosives into drill holes, and stemming or otherwise preparing explosives for detonation. A blaster-in-charge may delegate these duties to members of the blasting crew only if he personally issues instructions and supervises them. 880-X-12A-.09 Fees. (a) Certification Fee. Each applicant for blaster certification shall pay a non-refundable application fee of Supp. 6/30/11 12A-7
$100.00 prior to sitting for the comprehensive written examination. (b) Renewal Fee. Each applicant for renewal of certification as a certified blaster shall submit the required application form along with a non-refundable fee of $50.00. (c) Reciprocity Fee. A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 shall accompany any application for certification as a certified blaster through reciprocity. Randall C. Johnson New Rule: Filed October 25, 2010; effective November 29, 2010; operative June 23, 2011. Ed. Note: This rule shall become effective January 1, 2011 or 30 days after publication of approval by the U. S. Secretary of Interior in the Federal Register whichever occurs last as per certification filed October 25, 2010. Supp. 6/30/11 12A-8